Speculation about a potential Tristan Jarry trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins has been circulating since late June. On June 21, Mark Madden of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggested that “it’s time” for the Penguins to part ways with their $26.875 million goaltender.
“The re-signing of goalie Alex Nedeljkovic makes zero sense for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Unless they trade starter Tristan Jarry,” Madden argued at the time, noting that the two-year deal effectively blocks highly touted goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist from being promoted. On June 27, The Athletic’s Rob Rossi confirmed this conjecture as factual, reporting that “multiple teams have been informed that Jarry, who received a long-term contract last July, is available in a trade.”
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman also hinted that a Jarry trade might make sense during Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast on June 25.
Despite this, Bleacher Report analyst Lyle Richardson debunked this trade rumor on July 11, calling it a pipe dream.
“Jarry’s inconsistent play last season is the main factor behind the trade conjecture,” Richardson stated. “That performance combined with his contract makes him difficult to move.” Richardson concluded that Jarry and Nedeljkovic will start the season as the goalie tandem in Pittsburgh with Blomqvist continuing his development at the AHL level, even if the Penguins would prefer to rid themselves of the 29-year-old netminder this summer.
Penguins’ Tristan Jarry Has 12-Team No-Trade Clause
Adding to the unlikelihood of a Jarry trade is his current no-trade clause. Rossi explained that Jarry’s “contract includes a 12-team no-trade list, and Jarry’s representatives can provide [president of hockey operations/general manager Kyle] Dubas with a new list at the start of the new league year” on July 1. That list has since been submitted, although it’s unclear which teams Jarry selected.
Penguins’ Indecisiveness Has Led to Goaltender Logjam
Rossi’s article in The Athletic also revealed that Pittsburgh’s current predicament stems from their indecisiveness.
“The Penguins were uneasy with committing to Jarry last offseason but felt it was their best option,” the reporter wrote. “So, they took a chance on a well-liked, homegrown goalie who had shown — at times — that he could perform at a top-10 level. But there was frustration with Jarry’s uneven performances, reactions to teammates after goals, and a perceived lack of pushback when Nedeljkovic wrestled the starting job from him down the stretch, team sources said.”
Rossi also reported that there is a “lack of consensus internally” on Blomqvist’s NHL readiness, especially if Jarry is traded and Nedeljkovic got hurt.
“Team sources said Blomqvist remains highly regarded, but there is some hesitation in turning over a veteran-heavy roster led by Sidney Crosby to Blomqvist in case of an injury to Nedeljkovic,” Rossi reported. This uncertainty played into the Penguins’ decision to re-sign Nedeljkovic.
Penguins’ Sidney Crosby Extension Rumor Believed to Be Legitimate
In the same article, Richardson deduced that rumors of a Crosby extension are legitimate. On July 9, Rossi reported that the two sides are “closing in on a new contract.”
“Rossi wouldn’t be reporting this unless a deal was close at hand given Crosby’s importance to the Penguins,” Richardson responded. “Despite concerns from Pittsburgh fans and pundits over the current state of the team after missing the playoffs for the last two years, it seems Crosby will finish his NHL career as a Penguin.”
If the Bleacher Report analyst is correct, Jarry will remain in Pittsburgh too.